• UK politicians criticize Trump's claim that NATO troops were not on the front lines in Afghanistan.
• British Minister Stephen Kinnock calls Trump's remarks "deeply disappointing."
• Families of fallen soldiers express outrage, highlighting the sacrifices made by NATO allies.

U.S. President Donald Trump's recent comments regarding NATO troops in Afghanistan have prompted a wave of condemnation from British politicians. In an interview with Fox News, Trump claimed that NATO forces stayed "a little off the front lines" and suggested that the U.S. had "never needed" the alliance. This assertion was met with criticism from UK officials, who emphasized the significant sacrifices made by allied personnel during the conflict. "Many, many British soldiers and many soldiers from other European NATO allies gave their lives in support of American-led missions," said UK junior minister Stephen Kinnock, highlighting the nearly 460 British military deaths in the 20-year war, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The scale of the backlash spans the UK political spectrum, with various leaders and military veterans condemning Trump's remarks as disrespectful. Alistair Carns, Minister of the Armed Forces and veteran of Afghanistan, stated, "We shed blood, sweat and tears together" and noted that the alliance's collective defense clause, Article 5, was invoked only once in support of the U.S. following the 9-11 attacks. His comments underscored the interlinked sacrifices made by NATO members, with over 2,200 U.S. troops and significant numbers from other allied countries, including 150 Canadians and 90 French soldiers, losing their lives, according to CBS News.

Families of fallen soldiers have shared their outrage, with one mother stating she was "deeply disgusted" by Trump's comments. Lucy Aldridge, whose son was one of the youngest British soldiers killed in Afghanistan, remarked that such statements were offensive to every NATO member who sent troops to fight. "Families of those who were lost to that conflict live the trauma every day," she described emotionally, as reported by CBS News and Reuters.